Oxford Science Enterprises names Antonia Jenkinson CFO

Oxford Science Enterprises has appointed Antonia Jenkinson as chief financial officer as the investment firm moves towards more portfolio realisations.

Jenkinson joins from the Advanced Research and Invention Agency, where she was founding chief financial and operating officer. At the UK government-backed research funding body, she helped deploy more than £450 million into science and technology projects.

Her appointment follows a period of exits for Oxford Science Enterprises, which backs companies emerging from Oxford research. In the past nine months, the firm recorded its first $1 billion unicorn exit with the sale of Oxford Ionics to IonQ, and sold Dark Blue Therapeutics to Amgen for total consideration of up to $840 million.

It added 12 new companies to its portfolio in 2025. A decade after launch, the firm is nearing a phase in which it expects more regular realisations from that portfolio.

Jenkinson succeeds Jim Wilkinson, who stepped down at the end of March after 10 years in the role. He joined Oxford Science Enterprises in 2015 at its inception and oversaw its finances through its early development and subsequent expansion.

Portfolio phase

Oxford Science Enterprises is an investor and venture builder focused on science and technology companies linked to Oxford research. Its portfolio spans deep tech, life sciences and health technology.

In addition, the enterprise has worked with more than 300 international investors, who have collectively invested more than £3 billion in more than 125 companies. That track record forms the backdrop to the finance leadership change as the business shifts its focus from company creation and backing towards exits and returns.

Jenkinson has held executive and non-executive roles across corporate finance, consultancy and board positions. In 2015, she received the Sunday Times Non-Executive Director Award. She is a chartered certified accountant and a fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.

In a statement on her appointment, Jenkinson said: "I am delighted to be joining OSE at such an exciting stage of its development. OSE has built an impressive portfolio and a clear long-term strategy. I look forward to working with the team to support its continued growth, drive value realisation for its shareholders, and help shape the next chapter of the organisation's success."

Chief Executive Officer Ed Bussey said the appointment reflected the firm's priorities as it approaches a new stage of development.

He said: "I could not be more delighted to welcome Antonia to the OSE leadership team. Antonia's capital raising and private equity-backed CFO experience, combined with her uniquely deep knowledge of the university innovation ecosystem in which OSE operates, make her exceptionally well-suited to the next phase of our journey, as we approach the point of regular realisations in our portfolio."